DE102009013937A1 - frothing - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a frothing device (1) for frothing milk with a steam feed channel (3) opening into a mixing chamber (2), a milk feed channel (4) opening into the mixing chamber (2) and an air feed channel (5), the mixing chamber (2) is communicatively connected to a foaming chamber (7). Essential to the invention is that the air supply channel (5) opens into the Schäumkammer (7), whereby a nearly identical output temperature of milk foam and milk can be achieved.

Description

The The present invention relates to a frothing device for frothing milk for the preparation of, for example a cappuccino. The invention also relates to a coffee machine with such a foaming device.

A generic frothing device is for example from the DE 44 45 436 C2 This foaming device has a feed line for steam, a feed line for air and a feed line for milk in a mixing area. The supply line for the air is connected to a compressed air source for blowing in the air, wherein the injection of the air itself is controllable. As a result, an improved air intake and thus improved foaming properties should be achieved, in particular at the beginning of the foaming process.

Next the well-known foaming device are above In addition, systems known by switching off an air supply can also produce and spend hot milk. However, the temperature reached is always lower than that of the foam (milk-air mixture), because in the same time more mass must be heated. This is counteracted for example by that separate facilities limit the milk flow or additionally Release steam lines. Such additional facilities however, require space and cause additional Cost, which in particular the demands for compact and cost-effective Devices can no longer be met. As a general rule known frothing devices have a number of disadvantages so that, for example, a ratio of air to Quantity of milk depends on a vapor pressure and thereby an evaluation the vapor pressure and an adjustment of the delivered air volume can not be realized inexpensively. About that In addition, with the known Aufschäumvorrichtungen no satisfactory foam result be achieved, provided the air at a constant pressure in the steam line is initiated with fluctuating pressure. For cold frothing devices Beyond that often becomes proportionate too much air is pumped into the pipe, creating a venturi process does not even get going. This effect gets through in the steam pipes existing condensate even further amplified.

The The present invention addresses the problem of for a frothing device of the generic type Kind, an improved or at least an alternative embodiment specify, with which optional milk foam with high temperature and fine-pored, stable consistency or even hot milk, whose temperature corresponds to that of the milk foam produced can be.

This Problem is inventively by the objects of the independent claims. advantageous Embodiments are the subject of the dependent Claims.

The The present invention is based on the general idea, in a Foaming device for frothing milk for the preparation of, for example, cappuccino, with a mixing chamber and a subsequent foaming chamber, a steam supply duct and a milk supply duct to open into the mixing chamber while a Air supply channel opens directly into the Schäumkammer. Contrary to previous assumptions, it has been shown that the Foaming the milk needed air first in the already finished heated milk can be introduced and do not mix in with the hot milk from the mixing chamber the foaming chamber must be pressed. For example to convey and warm the milk thereby a Venturi effect used, this can, for example, to a certain mass flow and thus to a desired temperature increase be set exactly. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that supplied warm milk by means of a corresponding pump of the mixing chamber becomes. With the foaming device according to the invention It is thus extremely easy, alternatively to produce hot milk or hot milk foam, which both via a common outlet from the Schäumkammer can be filled in a drinking vessel. The production of hot milk is thus comparatively simple Switching off the air supply to reach the foaming chamber, with a desired milk foam, the air supply is activated again. Another big advantage of Foaming device according to the invention lies in the fact that a temperature level of the produced milk foam or the milk to be dispensed is set higher overall can be because of an interaction between vapor pressure and Air flow no consideration must be taken. About that In addition, a funding process also starts at the beginning significantly more stable, since the air flow is not additional disturbs. A between foamed and not foamed Milk remaining temperature difference is conceivably low, because otherwise the same conditions always the same mass of milk is heated.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, an air supply into the foaming chamber can not only be switched off, but in particular can also be controlled / regulated. As a result, it is possible to influence the milk foam to be produced, in particular with regard to its consistency, in a particularly individual manner. The controllability can be achieved, for example, by means of a suitable valve device in the air supply channel, which is instructed via a suitable control / regulating device. The show Manteil can thus be changed almost arbitrarily by controlling or regulating the air supply, so that in particular the production of layered drinks, such as a latte macchiato, is particularly easy to accomplish. The fine poredness of the milk foam can also be adjusted by changing the air flow, with additional cost air pumps can be used, since unlike the previously known Aufschäumvorrichtungen no compromise between a low flow and a high back pressure must be found.

at a further advantageous embodiment of the invention Solution, can via the air supply duct Alternatively, a steam-air mixture, only steam, only water, a Flavoring agents, such as cocoa powder, or a cleaning agent be supplied to the foaming chamber. Especially the addition of beverage powders, such as cocoa powders, directly into the foaming chamber, allows a simple Producing such mixed drinks. Through the feeder of detergent via the air supply duct into the foaming chamber, this can be effectively cleaned and, for example be freed from milk residues. Also a pure steam over the air supply channel is advantageous because it causes the foaming chamber, For example, after use, hygienically cleaned can be.

Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the Subclaims, from the drawing and from the associated Description of the figures with reference to the drawing.

It it is understood that the above and the following yet to be explained features not only in each case specified combination, but also in other combinations or can be used in isolation, without the scope of the present To leave invention.

One preferred embodiment of the invention is in the Drawing and shown in the following description explained in more detail.

The only 1 shows a sectional view through a foaming device according to the invention.

According to the 1 has a foaming device according to the invention 1 for frothing milk for preparing in particular a cappuccino beverage, one into a mixing chamber 2 opening steam supply channel 3 , one also in the mixing chamber 2 opening milk supply channel 4 as well as an air supply channel 5 on. The mixing chamber 2 is communicating, for example via a hole formed as a nozzle 6 , with a foaming chamber 7 connected. According to the invention now opens the air supply duct 5 directly into the foaming chamber 7 , wherein an inlet of the air supply duct 5 in the foaming chamber 7 can be selected at a freely selectable, in particular structurally favorable, body. As shown in 1 runs the air supply duct 5 parallel to the hole 6 and enters the frothing chamber from above 7 one. This makes it possible to produce milk foam with high temperature and fine-pored, stable consistency, with the same frothing device 1 , only by switching off or blocking the air supply duct 5 , even hot milk whose temperature corresponds to that of the milk foam, can be produced.

Contrary to previous assumptions, it has been shown that the air required to froth the milk also first into the already finished heated milk in the Schäumkammer 7 can be introduced and not together with the hot milk already in the mixing chamber 2 introduced and then through the hole 6 in the foaming chamber 7 must be pressed. If, for example, a Venturi effect is used to convey and heat the milk, then this can be adjusted to a specific mass flow and thus to the desired temperature increase. Of course, it is also conceivable that warm milk is supplied by means of a corresponding, not shown, pump. Generally speaking, the hole can 6 - As mentioned above - be designed as a nozzle and thus as an acceleration hole.

An air supply into the foaming chamber 7 over the air supply channel 6 is preferably controlled or regulated, whereby a proportion of foam can be changed almost arbitrarily by regulating the air supply, which is particularly for the production of currently popular layered drinks, such as a latte macchiato, of great advantage. In addition, the pore volume of the milk foam by a modified air supply in the Schäumkammer 7 be set, in particular cost air pumps can be used, since unlike previously known systems no compromise between a low flow and a high back pressure (steam) must be found.

Of particular advantage in the invention is that the temperature level of the milk foam and the milk itself can be set higher overall, since the interactions between vapor pressure and air flow no consideration must be taken. In addition, the delivery process runs much more stable at the beginning, since the air flow is not additionally in the mixing chamber 2 disturbs. By the foaming device according to the invention 1 can be a difference in temperature between Foamy and non-frothy milk can be significantly reduced, since otherwise the same conditions always the same mass of milk is heated.

For cleaning the steam supply duct 3 For example, a pressure source 8th , In particular, a vapor pressure source or a compressed air source may be provided. Such a pressure source 8th prevents milk from being sucked back into the steam supply line 3 , At the same time, dripping of the milk can be minimized and milk residues from the foaming chamber can be minimized 7 be blown out better. There may also be another source of pressure 10 (eg, air) may be provided to empty the lines. The foaming chamber 7 can have one or any number of spouts 9 to the outside, according to the 1 two spouts 9 are shown. It is also conceivable that via the air supply duct 5 also a vapor-air mixture, only steam, only water, a flavoring agent, such as cocoa powder, or a detergent in the Schäumkammer 7 can be supplied. As a result, the issue of mixed drinks, such as drinking chocolate, particularly easy to implement. At the same time, a cleaning of the frothing device 1 be facilitated, in particular a mixture of detergent and hot steam supplied through the air supply duct 5 , achieved a high cleaning effect.

For controlling or regulating an air supply into the foaming chamber 7 For example, a control / regulating device, not shown, can be provided which controls the supply of air into the foaming chamber 7 in particular as a function of a boiler pressure and / or an operating state of a heating device, also not shown controls or regulates. In general, it is also conceivable, the Schäumkammer 7 For example, add water during dosing to alter, in particular, the density of the milk and thereby facilitate the preparation of layered beverages such as latte macchiato. In addition, at the end of the product production, for example, water in the Schäumkammer 7 be directed, for example, to avoid the formation of air bubbles at the end of the foaming process and / or to the Schäumkammer 7 free from milk residues.

In addition, it is conceivable that the foaming device 1 a two-stage jet pump 10 having, wherein the mixing chamber 2 with the steam supply channel opening into it 3 and the milk supply channel 4 the first stage forms what the foaming chamber 7 with the air supply channel opening into it 5 connects and thereby forms the second stage. The two-stage design of the jet pump 10 The air needed to froth the milk does not have to be in the first stage of the jet pump 10 that is in the area of the mixing chamber 2 , are sucked together with the milk, but it is from the milk stream itself in the second stage, that is, in the foaming chamber 7 , generates a negative pressure and thereby sucked in the air. This makes it possible in the first stage always to heat the same mass flow, which in the case of the output of foamed milk, the air is entrained by the already heated milk jet. Can be achieved by such an embodiment, a nearly identical output temperature of foamed and non-foamed milk, the structure of the according to the 1 shown jet pump 10 structurally simple and therefore cost-effective and at the same time easy to clean. In comparison to known from the prior art systems in which, for example, the air is sucked together with the aid of a steam jet pump together with the milk, has the foaming device according to the invention 1 the great advantage that the temperature of foamed and non-foamed milk in their output is almost no different, since no generally different large mass flows must be heated.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

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Cited patent literature

• - DE 4445436 C2 [0002]

Claims (9)

Foaming device ( 1 ) for frothing milk into a mixing chamber ( 2 ) opening steam supply channel ( 3 ), into the mixing chamber ( 2 ) milk supply channel ( 4 ) and with an air supply duct ( 5 ), wherein the mixing chamber ( 2 ) communicating with a foaming chamber ( 7 ), characterized in that the air supply duct ( 5 ) in the foaming chamber ( 7 ) opens. Foaming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing chamber ( 2 ) via an accelerating bore ( 6 ) with the foaming chamber ( 7 ) connected is. Foaming device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an air supply into the Schäumkammer ( 7 ) is controllable / controllable. Foaming device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a pressure source, in particular a compressed air source ( 8th ), for blowing out the steam supply channel ( 3 ) is provided. Foaming device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that via the air supply channel ( 5 ) Alternatively, a vapor-air mixture, only steam, only water, a conducer, such as cocoa, syrup or a detergent of the Schäumkammer ( 7 ) can be supplied. Foaming device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a control device is provided which an air supply into the Schäumkammer ( 7 ) in response to a boiler pressure and / or an operating state of a heater controls. Foaming device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the foaming device ( 1 ) a two-stage jet pump ( 10 ), wherein the mixing chamber ( 2 ) with the steam supply channel ( 3 ) and the milk supply channel ( 4 ) forms the first stage, to which the foaming chamber ( 7 ) with the air supply channel ( 5 ) is connected as a second stage. Foaming device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an output of other drinks, such. As coffee or chocolate, on the Schäumkammer ( 7 ) he follows. Coffee machine with a frothing device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8.